Chapter 22 - MOM STOPS ASKING ME TO FORGIVE HER
Mom completed diversion.
Anger-management counseling.
Community service.
Restitution for my medical expenses.
No-contact order except through counsel unless I agreed.
At first, every letter asked for forgiveness indirectly.
Then they stopped.
One arrived six months later.
I used to believe the family stayed together because I kept everyone fed, dressed, seated, and behaving properly. I now understand that much of what I called keeping peace was deciding who had to bend.
You bent most.
I made that your virtue.
Then I punished you when you stopped.
No request.
No:
Call me.
No:
Life is short.
I read it three times.
Still did not reply.
Mom later testified in the civil governance case.
She admitted signing for my trust notice.
“Why not give it to Jodie?”
“Kurt said the timing would upset financing.”
“Did you agree?”
“Yes.”
“Did you understand it was addressed to Jodie personally?”
“Yes.”
That was interference.
Not necessarily criminal mail theft under the circumstances because she accepted household certified mail lawfully and passed it to Dad.
Morally clear.
Legally narrower.
She also admitted supporting the transition fitness file.
“I thought Jodie was too angry to manage the company.”
“Did you think Tawny was qualified?”
“No.”
“Yet you opposed Jodie.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Mom cried.
May you like
“Because Jodie questioned things I wanted left alone.”
That became the family theme nobody could unhear.
